Of all the cities I have visited in Europe (and they have been many), the unassuming medieval town of Soleure is by far my favorite. Fortunately for me, it is only a twenty minute train ride in the cutest red train you've ever seen from where I live.

Last night, a Christmas shopping/coffee stop with my sister-in-law. I hope you notice that we took the shoppers with us. If you didn't read that post back in July and you'd like to know how utterly devoted we are to them, go to:
http://gallimaufrylife.blogspot.com/2010/07/some-time-ago-i-told-of-escapades-to.html



We stood outside this old apothecary turned specialty shop for a full ten minutes before going in, Evi saying, We can't go in there with the shoppers, Alli. We'll knock everything over with the wheels, and you know it!



But we did end up going in - and such a delight that was! There was the old fashioned bell to ring, which I never hesitate to do repeatedly as my reserved Swiss companion stands in the corner and laughs until she shakes. There were "drinking chocolates" and spicy teas; earrings for 250 Swiss francs (ah, no thank you - the color is all wrong for me), and whiskey fudge!

Lights hang like falling stars...

Almond coffee and blueberry muffins at our favorite coffee house...

And I look about to find I am blessed to have a sister-in-law who is so utterly wacky, so sincere, so forgiving, so fun-loving, so willing to be absurd, or to sit and philosophize about the meaning of God and life.

The stores closed at nine and we had decided we would buy hot roasted chestnuts for the train ride home, the only snag being that in classic Alli-Evi fashion the tiny wooden shop was closed by the time we got there. A plaid-clad woman stood outside the shuttered cabin sweeping up shells from chestnuts that other, more time-savvy shoppers had enjoyed. Oh...

As I snapped pictures here and there, these Soleure natives were enjoying hot spiced wine out in the cobblestone streets. "Take our picture!" I heard them call out. And so... here you have the personal greetings of a festive group of Swiss patriots. And I shall say, on their behalf, Schöne Weihnachten!